Cubs, Barney agree to $2.3 million deal

Darwin Barney signed a one-year, $2.3 million deal with the Cubs on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

The 28-year-old second baseman hit .208 last year with a .266 on-base percentage, but was steady in the field with only four errors. Barney had filed for $2.8 million, while the Cubs countered at $2.1 million.

The Cubs now have all but one arbitration-eligible player in the fold, and hope to come to an agreement with starter Jeff Samardzija before their scheduled hearing next week. Samardzija has filed for $6.2 million, while the Cubs countered at $4.4 million.